Seahawks' one-man band is out of tune

Published: Friday, November 30, 2012 at 2:07 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, November 30, 2012 at 2:07 p.m.

There's nothing good to say about offense for the UNCW men's basketball team so far this season.

Frigid shooting, sluggish execution and sloppy ballhandling share the blame, as the Seahawks are 316th (of 344 Division I teams) in offensive efficiency. They are last – by a wide margin – in the CAA in scoring (53.7), field goal percentage (36.9), 3-point percentage (24.1) and turnovers (19.5).

The lone UNCW player in the top 31 conference scoring leaders is Keith Rendleman, whose numbers are similar to last season when he earned first-team All-CAA.

Otherwise, it's ugly.

The athletic forward hasn't received consistent scoring help, although Freddie Jackson recorded 20 points in the past two games. Scoring droughts lasting five or six minutes have become the norm. The Seahawks showed early improvement from the free throw line, including a 19-for-19 effort at Richmond in game two. They hit less than 62 percent in each of the four games since.

The sputtering offense overshadows progress made on defense, where after six games the Seahawks are on pace for their best season since 2005-06.

But defense can only keep a game close. Eventually, a team has to string together baskets. And as opposing teams surround Rendleman with multiple defenders, it's the guards' responsibility to contribute to the scoring column and alleviate pressure from their star teammate.

UNCW coach Buzz Peterson called his team to Trask Coliseum early Thursday morning for additional shooting practice. He's also tried to simplify an offense that centers around Rendleman, who touched the ball on roughly two-thirds of UNCW's possessions in the 61-60 victory over Hampton on Sunday.

"We're starting out games where we only want to run four or five things, then maybe we diversify from there," Peterson said.

UNCW has shot worse than 40 percent from the field in five of six games. It made six 3-point shots in the season-opening win over UNC-Asheville but is 14 of 66 (21.2 percent) behind the arc since.

"We've got to get some guys going, that I know can shoot the basketball who haven't done very well," Peterson said.

Redshirt freshman guard Craig Ponder is looking forward to a "home" game in front of about 30 friends and family members. The Bluefield, W.Va., native was expected to help shoulder the Seahawks' offensive burden, but struggled with turnovers in the first three games and went 0-for-8 in victories over Wofford and Hampton last weekend.

Ponder thinks the slump is behind him.

"I'm feeling good," he said. "I think the real turning point was the second half of the Ohio game. I played horrible those first few games. I was putting too much pressure on myself to go out there and dominate. It was just a mental thing. But I'm fine now."

Ponder also thinks the Seahawks have more weapons than what they've shown.

"We've been getting good looks," he said. "Once we become better shooters it will open up the driving lanes, and help the offense."

<p>There's nothing good to say about offense for the <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic71"><b>UNCW</b></a> men's basketball team so far this season.</p><p>Frigid shooting, sluggish execution and sloppy ballhandling share the blame, as the Seahawks are 316th (of 344 Division I teams) in offensive efficiency. They are last – by a wide margin – in the CAA in scoring (53.7), field goal percentage (36.9), 3-point percentage (24.1) and turnovers (19.5).</p><p>The lone UNCW player in the top 31 conference scoring leaders is Keith Rendleman, whose numbers are similar to last season when he earned first-team All-CAA.</p><p>Otherwise, it's ugly. </p><p>The athletic forward hasn't received consistent scoring help, although Freddie Jackson recorded 20 points in the past two games. Scoring droughts lasting five or six minutes have become the norm. The Seahawks showed early improvement from the free throw line, including a 19-for-19 effort at Richmond in game two. They hit less than 62 percent in each of the four games since. </p><p>The sputtering offense overshadows progress made on defense, where after six games the Seahawks are on pace for their best season since 2005-06.</p><p>But defense can only keep a game close. Eventually, a team has to string together baskets. And as opposing teams surround Rendleman with multiple defenders, it's the guards' responsibility to contribute to the scoring column and alleviate pressure from their star teammate.</p><p>UNCW coach <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic9942"><b>Buzz Peterson</b></a> called his team to Trask Coliseum early Thursday morning for additional shooting practice. He's also tried to simplify an offense that centers around Rendleman, who touched the ball on roughly two-thirds of UNCW's possessions in the 61-60 victory over Hampton on Sunday.</p><p>"We're starting out games where we only want to run four or five things, then maybe we diversify from there," Peterson said.</p><p>UNCW has shot worse than 40 percent from the field in five of six games. It made six 3-point shots in the season-opening win over UNC-Asheville but is 14 of 66 (21.2 percent) behind the arc since.</p><p>"We've got to get some guys going, that I know can shoot the basketball who haven't done very well," Peterson said.</p><p>Redshirt freshman guard Craig Ponder is looking forward to a "home" game in front of about 30 friends and family members. The Bluefield, W.Va., native was expected to help shoulder the Seahawks' offensive burden, but struggled with turnovers in the first three games and went 0-for-8 in victories over Wofford and Hampton last weekend.</p><p>Ponder thinks the slump is behind him.</p><p>"I'm feeling good," he said. "I think the real turning point was the second half of the Ohio game. I played horrible those first few games. I was putting too much pressure on myself to go out there and dominate. It was just a mental thing. But I'm fine now."</p><p>Ponder also thinks the Seahawks have more weapons than what they've shown.</p><p>"We've been getting good looks," he said. "Once we become better shooters it will open up the driving lanes, and help the offense."</p><p><a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic94"><b>Brian Mull</b></a>: 343-2034</p><p>On <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news41"><b>Twitter</b></a>: @BGMull</p>